Comparative study of desertification control policies and regulations in representative countries of the Belt and Road Initiative

Desertification threatens land integrity, hinders the improvement of livelihoods, restricts global economic development, and affects social stability. The countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative have long suffered from varying degrees of desertification, land degradation and drought, and experience the most severe desertification of anywhere on the planet. Existing research on desertification has mainly focused on technical aspects of this problem and on sand control and management. Most studies have covered topics such as dryland, forestry, agriculture, animal husbandry, and water and soil conservation. However, few studies have been conducted from the perspective of public policy. In particular, policies and regulations for the prevention and control of desertification in countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative remain poorly understood and undervalued. This study therefore examined policies and regulations for preventing and controlling desertification in re-presentative Belt and Road countries. The developmental context, formulation of measures to safeguard the environment, modes and effects of their implementation, and the overall management systems in these countries were analyzed, and their similarities, differences, and correlations were explored in depth. The findings of the study will provide inputs for promoting cooperation among industries, enterprises, and institutions in typical desertified countries, whose collaborative efforts will contribute to promoting green development within the Belt and Road Initiative. Moreover, they will provide a reference for researchers, policy makers, and environmental regulators to shape the next generation of desertification control policies and regulations and to support environmentally sustainable implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative.(c) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. CC_BY_NC_ND_4.0